Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Amerks’ Nathan Paetsch wants to help Humboldt: ‘It’s home’

ROCHESTER – Humboldt, the small Saskatchewan town reeling from a crash that killed 15 members of its beloved junior hockey team, is home for Americans defenseman Nathan Paetsch.

While Paetsch lived about 20 minutes away in tiny LeRoy, he was born in Humboldt, developed into an NHL talent playing minor hockey there and still has family in and around the town of about 5,900.... Read the full article

Sabres will soon replenish Amerks for AHL playoff run

BUFFALO – Casey Nelson believes the opportunity offers a “second chance.” In a few days, after the Sabres complete their disastrous season, about eight players will return to the AHL and begin the Rochester Americans’ first playoff series in four years.

“We all want nothing more than to win a championship,” the defenseman said Thursday inside KeyBank Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the start of a two-game, ... Read the full article

Goalie Robin Lehner won’t make Sabres’ final road trip

BUFFALO – Injured goalie Robin Lehner won’t accompany the Sabres on their season-ending two-game trip to Florida, according to the team.

Lehner has an expiring contract and was acquired by the team’s old regime, meaning his Sabres career could be over. A lower-body injury has sidelined him the last three contests.

In 53 games this season, Lehner went 14-26-9 with a 3.01 goal-against average and a .908 save percentage.... Read the full article

Productive stretch earns Alexander Nylander recall to Sabres

BUFFALO – Four or five months ago, it appeared slick Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander’s second pro season would be a dud.

In rookie camp, Nylander suffered a lower-body injury, costing him more than two months. The former eighth overall pick struggled following his season debut in mid-November, mustering only one goal and four points in his first 12 AHL outings.

But Nylander, 20, started turning a miserable campaign around early in the winter. The winger ... Read the full article

Amerks captain Kevin Porter grateful for recall to Sabres

BUFFALO – In three seasons between his stints in the Sabres organization, forward Kevin Porter played 43 NHL games. One year, the former Hobey Baker Award winner stayed in the minors all season. In another one, he played just two contests.

But two years ago, Porter, 32, earned regular duty with the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing 41 contests before an ankle injury ended his season.

While Porter missed the playoffs, he experienced the Stanley Cup run ... Read the full article

Physicality helped Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander earn recall

BUFFALO – Four or five months ago, it appeared slick Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander’s second pro season would be a dud.

But Nylander, 20, started turning a miserable campaign around early in the winter. The winger ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Alexander Nylander, Kevin Porter from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled prospect Alexander Nylander, the eighth overall pick in 2016, and veteran Kevin Porter from the Rochester Americans today.

Neither forward has played in the NHL this season. The Sabres finish their home schedule Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators.

Nylander, 20, played four NHL games last season. Following a slow start this year, the Swede has caught fire, compiling five goals and 16 points in his last 20 outings... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart never doubted talents in tough times

TORONTO – In the toughest days of his season, as Sam Reinhart endured goal droughts of 10 and 15 games, the Buffalo Sabres winger said he never changed a thing.

Reinhart, 22, kept preparing the same way each day. Thirty-eight games into his third NHL season, he had mustered only five goals and 11 points.

But Reinhart trusted his approach would pay dividends.... Read the full article

Sabres upset NHL didn’t suspend Scott Hartnell for hit

TORONTO – A seething Phil Housley paused before answering the question. The Buffalo Sabres coach clearly wanted to choose his words carefully while still expressing his anger over the NHL’s decision not to suspended Scott Hartnell.

In Saturday’s 7-4 win in Nashville, the Predators forward hit Sabres defenseman Victor Antipin from behind, knocking his head into the glass. The rookie was probably out cold before his body hit the ice.

Antipin will miss the ... Read the full article

Recall to Sabres special for goalie Adam Wilcox: ‘It’s just really cool’

BUFFALO – Early in goalie Adam Wilcox’s childhood, the NHL hadn’t returned to Minnesota yet. So the South St. Paul resident began cheering for legendary goalie Dominik Hasek and, ironically, the Sabres.

“Minnesota didn’t have a team, so I always rooted for Hasek and the Sabres,” the loquacious Wilcox said Friday after the Sabres recalled him from the AHL.

Wilcox, 25, couldn’t stop smiling during his short chat with the media. He said his third ... Read the full article